Copy Editor’s Guide to Subject-Verb Agreement: 20 Rules with Examples pdf
As a copy editor, it`s important to ensure that written content is grammatically correct and optimized for search engines. One area that requires particular attention is subject-verb agreement, which can impact the clarity and SEO of a piece. Here are 20 rules for subject-verb agreement to keep in mind, along with examples and a downloadable pdf for reference:
1. The subject and verb must agree in number: singular subjects need singular verbs, and plural subjects need plural verbs.
Example: The cat drinks milk. -> The cats drink milk.
2. A singular subject joined by ”or” or ”nor” with another singular subject requires a singular verb.
Example: John or Sally is coming.
3. If two singular subjects are connected by ”and,” the verb is plural.
Example: The cat and the dog chase each other.
4. When a plural subject is joined by ”or” or ”nor” with another plural subject, the verb is plural.
Example: The cats or the dogs eat food.
5. When the subjects are of different numbers and joined by ”or” or ”nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
Example: Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry.
6. Collective nouns (e.g. team, audience) can be singular or plural depending on the context. Use a singular verb for a singular meaning and a plural verb for a plural meaning.
Example: The team is playing well. -> The team are arguing among themselves.
7. Indefinite pronouns like ”everyone,” ”someone,” and ”anyone” are always singular.
Example: Everyone knows the answer.
8. Some indefinite pronouns like ”both,” ”few,” and ”many” can be either singular or plural, depending on whether the noun they refer to is singular or plural.
Example: Both of the cats are sleeping. -> Both of the cat is sleeping.
9. Phrases that begin with ”one of” or ”some of” take a plural verb.
Example: Some of the cats are black.
10. The verb must always agree with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun that comes between them.
Example: The cat, along with the dog, chases the mice.
11. The words ”here” and ”there” can never be the subject of a sentence. The subject always follows the verb.
Example: There are six chairs in the room.
12. When the subject of the sentence is a title, the verb agrees with the singular or plural sense of the title.
Example: ”The Lord of the Rings” is a classic. -> ”The Lord of the Rings” are three books.
13. When the subject is a fraction, the verb should agree with the numerator.
Example: Two-thirds of the cats are sleeping.
14. When the subject is a percentage, the verb should agree with the noun after ”of.”
Example: Ten percent of the milk has gone bad.
15. The expressions ”a number of” and ”the majority of” take a plural verb.
Example: A number of people are coming to the party.
16. When subjects are joined by ”as well as” or ”along with,” the verb agrees with the first subject.
Example: The cat, as well as the dog, is sleeping.
17. When a sentence begins with ”here” or ”there,” the subject follows the verb.
Example: Here comes the bus.
18. When a sentence begins with ”many a” or ”more than one,” the verb takes a singular form.
Example: Many a cat has tried to catch the mouse.
19. When there are collective nouns or group words use a singular verb with the word ”group” itself. Use a plural verb with the phrase ”members of the group.”
Example: The group is preparing for the party. -> The members of the group are preparing for the party.
20. In sentences that contain gerunds, the subject and the verb should agree in number.
Example: Drawing and painting are her hobbies.
By following these 20 rules for subject-verb agreement, copy editors can help ensure that written content is grammatically correct and optimized for SEO. To make it easy to review and remember these rules, we’ve created a downloadable pdf with examples for reference. Happy editing!